My Mind Consumed Me

I've lived in darkness even before I came among the dearly departed. It's all I've ever known. Can you truly find sanity, when you've never seen light?

[damagedlittlejesse]

“   Wait… what?” Oh shit. Now she gets it. It was crazy to her that she had just said so much without her realizing it. She barely even knew Thomas. They only met twice, for Christ sake. “U-uh, yeah… Yeah I guess I do.” The blonde managed an awkward laugh, attempting to shrug off the nervousness. Hopefully she didn’t just dig her grave even deeper. 

[thomas-mcallister]

"Honestly, you needn't worry about me. It's alright." Lie. For so long he had been enveloped in this obsession with the human mind. Now she was telling him that her husband was a ghost that had wandered from his path and her son was gifted with the sight of a medium? This was golden. "It's quite easy to see from the look on your face that what you said just a moment ago was unintentional. I'm only here to help. Please don't think I would undermine you or your family."

[damagedlittlejesse]

"Yeah…. maybe." She had to admit it wasn’t too impossible. “I’ll just have to find him first. He mostly doesn’t make himself known… so I never really know if he’s around or not.” Apparently she doesn’t realize that she’s talking ghost. “I mean I wouldn’t even know if he even still existed if it weren’t for Caelum being a medium.” Nope, still not catching herself. 

[thomas-mcallister]

He could have laughed at that given moment from exactly how surprised he was that she told him so much. It didn't require much effort on his part either, and to Thomas, that was brilliant. He remain composed as his eyes flickered curiously to her; his hands clasping together. "You have quite the peculiar family. A ghost for a husband and a medium for a child..."

[damagedlittlejesse]

Jesse pursed her lips, regretting a little bit that she had brought Zac up. “Well…he’s just…” Her mouth was still slightly over as she tried to find words good enough to explain. How exactly was she supposed to say that her husband’s mental health went strolling off of a cliff and now does bloody gun and knife fights in the kitchen for fun? “It’s just the stress of this place you know..? It’s getting to him, I guess…” Now that wasn’t a very convincing answer at all. 

[thomas-mcallister]

"So I see." He responded with a calmness in his voice that was typical coming from him.  "This house does tend to have that effect on people.  Honestly, it is quite extraordinary.  The mind of a human is so fragile." His gaze held steady against the wall opposite of him.  He didn't even try to look at Jesse.  "Perhaps you should continue trying to remind him of the treasures in his life.  Both you and your son could be his anchor to humanity."

[damagedlittlejesse]

"Hmm…" Pink lips pursed as she thought hard about the question. "I’d say the nurses, no doubt. But…” A smile grew on her features now. “You should try and mess with my husband. He’s been kinda off lately… so I think he could use a good fun prank.” Not the best of ideas, Jess. 

[thomas-mcallister]

"Ah — yes.  Your husband.  You mentioned him last time we spoke but not so much in depth." He responded light-heartedly.  "If you don't mind my asking," He began as he readjusted his position to benefit his comfort.  "What is it that makes him seem so off?"

[damagedlittlejesse]

"Really?" She is far too excited about this. "Oh man! That would be awesome." 

[thomas-mcallister]

"I suppose it would be." Easy now, McAllister.  She's growing on you.  "Let's say that were to happen — who would you prefer to see me bother?"

[damagedlittlejesse]

"Well I can’t be in here for nothing, right? 

[thomas-mcallister]

"Right." He offered with a chuckle.  "Well, if I happen to stumble across telekinetic abilities, you'll be the first to know.  Maybe I'll have a few dishes float over some heads."

[liampayno]

[damagedlittlejesse]

"Alright, alright. Maybe I was a little harsh. Snaps for trying though.” 

"You want to impress me? Show me some telekinesis. That shit is mind blowing."  

[thomas-mcallister]

"Telekinesis?  Do I look like I have telekinesis?  Christ, and I thought I had heard it all.  No wonder you're in a mad house."

[damagedlittlejesse]

"Okay… If you think that little trick is going to work on me, you’re clearly more delusional than I thought… That’s amateur at best!"  

[thomas-mcallister]

"Well at least pretend to enjoy it.  Honestly, the lot of you don't seem to appreciate the classics."  Thomas replied with obvious disappointment in his voice from how his 'is this your card' trick and deck betrayed him.  "Besides, it's not so much as a trick than it is basic math.  Tell me, what does impress you then?"

[averylynch]

I've managed to get my hands on some vodka.

I may or may not be drunk. Who knows? Who cares? 

[thomas-mcallister]

Honestly, it's a surprise these nurses still even have jobs here if they can't keep something as simple as vodka away from a patient.

[damagedlittlejesse]

Jesse let out a small laugh as she shook her head. “No, no. Just one for me. But this is Caelum, yes. The little trouble maker.” She scrunched her nose as she gently nudged it against the child’s forehead. “Yes, a trouble maker. A lot like his dad…” Her added note spoken through a hint of sadness in her voice— which was also just barely seen in her face now. Though of course, trying ever so hard to be a strong person, the blonde held back any emotion that might want to seep through from the aching of her heart and look back at Thomas with a tried smile. 

[thomas-mcallister]

His brows creased at the change in tone from the blonde.  She couldn't have hidden the sadness behind her words from Thomas even if she tried.  He had spent decades observing people.  They were just so easy to read.  Hoping to take a step in earning her trust, his hands clasped together and his expression altered to that of sympathy.  "Problem, dear?" He asked politely as he offered a brief smile to the cooing child in her arms just before returning to his composure.  "I couldn't help but notice your joy falter."

[damagedlittlejesse]

"Well I just looked there… and Caelum knows not to go anywhere near that place. I mean he’s probably up in the— Whoa!" The blonde jumped slightly as she felt tiny arms wrap around her leg. "Ah, there’s the little devil…Come here, buddy." Jesse smiled as she picked her son up for him to sit at her hip, tipping her head toward Thomas. "Can you say hello?" In which Caelum responded by waving at the man. 

[thomas-mcallister]

While the blonde had spoke, Thomas' eyes fell to the child who began to crawl toward her.  He was slightly amused, being that light patting could be heard and she was still oblivious to the boy's presence.  Admittedly, he did not care for the child, but Jesse was a different story.  Her life was no secret to him.  He had spent years observing those who were unfortunate enough to come across the house, after all.  However, Thomas knew how to play along.  "Hello there, small creature." He chimed with a smile painted over his aged features.  "My name is Thomas.  This is Caelum I presume?  Unless you have another child roaming these halls."

[alec-beaumont-blog]

The silence that lingered among the room after Thomas had spoke was deafening.  He wasn’t a patient?  But… what was he then?  Alec’s thoughts began to jumble together as he shook his head, hoping to relieve himself of the relentless confusion.  Why did he keep calling himself a ‘long time resident?’  ”Wait—what?” He blurted after the man pressed on, mentioning that Alec could not see what was not visibly there.  ”Okay, you’re starting to fr—” And that’s when it clicked.  Oh God.  Alec had become aware of the poor souls that were among the residents here.  They were of course far beyond deceased, but telling them apart was always quite the hassle.  ”You—you’re dead.” He finally managed from words that tumbled over themselves. 

[thomas-mcallister]

Thomas chuckled as Alec's response brought about a wave of joy to him.  "See, I knew you weren't an idiot."  His hand waved lazily as the words fled from his lips.  The boy was obviously already aware of the dearly departed, otherwise the two would still be at square one.  He was pleased — this way, they could proceed much faster.  Thomas could look into this boy's mind.  Study every aspect of it, in fact.  All he would have to do would be... "Honestly I'm quite happy that you aren't entirely oblivious to us.  It's difficult being among all these people and pretending to be one of them.  It becomes tiresome."  He played off his words with a sigh.  He would have to play along.  For now, at least.

[alittlespaceinsidemymind]

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[damagedlittlejesse]

"Yes, yes, I’m a terrible mother. I already know this." A wave of her hand brushed away the comment. "We were playing hide and seek again, and the little stinker can hide his little butt anywhere, I swear…" 

[thomas-mcallister]

"I see," He replied with a brief raise of his brows.  "Well then...I did see a small creature crawling below in the basement — the door was wide open, but that could have easily been Thaddeus.  Looks like I simply cannot recall."

[damagedlittlejesse]

"So…anyone seen a little me running around? He’s small…got stubby legs…"

[thomas-mcallister]

"You lost track of your child in a place like this?  That's rather careless, don't you think?"

[alec-beaumont-blog]

Despite the fact that Alec had crafted friendships with a few of the patients in the hospital, he had taken it as an obligation to proceed carefully with them.  They were institutionalized for an array of reasons, and although most of those he had come across were harmless, there still had been few who had threatened his very life and wouldn’t have seen a problem in doing it again.  Thomas had not given Alec a reason to worry, but then again, it was still far too early to tell what exactly he might be.  ”Alec.  Alec Beaumont.  I’m just visiting.  I have a friend here.”  He explained thoughtlessly from having spoken similar, if not exact words many times already.  ”So you’re a patient then?  If you’ve been here long, how come I’ve never seen you before until now?”

[thomas-mcallister]

Thomas chuckled just before brushing his hand delicately over his face.  It was obvious that Alec didn't take too kindly to strangers.  He was defensive, and in a place like this, it was easy to understand why.  He didn't blame the boy, but then again, he glad that he was there now, offering up such a grand opportunity.  "Oh, come now —" He began as he took a seat casually on the leather sofa; his hands cupping together as his leg crossed over the other.  "I never said I was a patient, Mr. Beaumont, I said I was a long time resident.  It's the small details you need to keep track of, you see?  Small blessings."  A smile cracked over his features as he peered forward across from him.  "You can't see what's not visibly there."